Sometimes called a "Via Media," or a "middle way," between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, the Anglican Tradition finds its roots in the Church of England and finds its home in a worldwide communion of churches. In the United States, Anglicanism finds classical expression in the Episcopal Church and The Book of Common Prayer.
Anglicanism is fundamentally a way of prayer. Other Christian traditions variously define themselves by a particular set of doctrines, or by a particular reading of the Bible, or by a particular system of church government--and like every other Christian body, Anglicanism has a particular approach to all these things. But Anglicans typically define ourselves by the way we worship. Wildly diverse in almost every other way, we make a common approach to God in prayer.
A beautiful compendium of ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary sources, The Book of Common Prayer is more than a set of liturgies for public worship. Saturated with scripture, it is a guidebook to Christian spirituality, equally suited for a congregation on Sunday morning, a family household on a weekday evening, or an individual alone with his prayers at night. It is a classical work of theology. It is an anthology of catholic beliefs. It is a sublime work of art. It is one of the tools we use to form our minds, our hearts and our lives in conformity to Christ.
Regardless of the tradition to which you belong, you are welcome at St. John's Church. Any baptized Christian is welcome to receive Communion at our altar, and anyone who seeks God is welcome to join our community.
For more information about our Prayer Book, Episcopal worship or the Anglican tradition of spirituality, contact Mother Judith Malionek at rev.jmalionek@stjohnstroy.org.
